Reaper (21 page)

“Oh,” I said, at a loss for words.

“When I was twelve,” he continued, a tiny bit of emotion apparent, “she came to the same apartment looking for us. Like it always does in the Order, word got around to my dad and he thought it was a good idea to track her down and for me to meet her, since she did give birth to me after all.” He paused for a few seconds before continuing. “She was drunk and didn’t remember my name. That’s when I decided that I never wanted to see her again. I don’t need her. Biologically, she’s my mother, but she was never a mom.”

“I’m sorry,” I said softly.

“I’m over it,” Ethan told me, and I knew he was telling the truth. “I’m glad you know now.” He buried his head in my chest. Most unwelcoming, my phone alarm went off. It took me a minute to remember why I had set it. Groaning, I moved away from Ethan to get up.

“Where are you going?” he asked with a yawn.

“Romeo and Hunter have a vet appointment to get their shots,” I replied and slowly got out of bed.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Ethan asked and pulled the covers up to his chin.

“Why wouldn’t it be?” I asked and grudgingly got out of bed.

“Hmm, let’s see. The crowd of reapers that were outside of our house last. Or the fact that you could wig out at any moment.”

I glared at Ethan. “Thanks,” I said tartly.

“Sorry,” he stretched. “But it’s true.”

“I think I can manage an hour away from the house,” I sighed. “And Hunter’s coming.”

“True. Want me to come with?”

“I don’t really care,” I told him and went into the bathroom to wash my face. “If you want to, you can.”

“When are you leaving?”

“In forty-five minutes.”

He rolled over. “Nah, I’ll stay here.”

“Lazy,” I teased and quickly got ready to leave.

~*~

Hunter had gained ten pounds since the last time he had been weighed, though he wasn’t over weight at all. I suspected that he became bigger since unveiling his true nature. Everyone at the animal hospital was amazed by him; one of the techs took a picture of my Guardian. He, of course, was the perfect patient.

In his carrying bag, I set Romeo on the counter to pay my bill. I had just handed the receptionist a large amount of cash when the door opened. Seeing through Hunter’s eyes, I whipped my head around.

“Is this the one you called about?” another receptionist asked the person who had just entered the building.

“Yep. This is the dog,” a middle aged woman answered. She was leading a very skinny Rottweiler into the clinic. “Poor girl,” she said softly.

“Any luck finding a sponsor?” the receptionist asked.

The woman sighed. “Not yet. I’m telling ya, it’s getting harder and harder to keep this rescue group going. Everyone wants puppies. I can’t find anyone to sponsor—let alone adopt—older dogs. We’ve been in a slump for a month now.”

“She needs a home?” I asked softly and eyed the pathetic dog. Every bone on her body stuck out over paper thin skin. Mange covered her face and fluid dripped from her left eye. My heart broke just looking at her. Hunter tipped his head, feeling just as sorry for the dog.

“She does,” the middle aged woman said. She frowned and shook her head. “But she needs someone to sponsor her medical bills first.”

“What’s wrong with her?” I asked.

“She has roundworms, heartworms, mange, fleas, kennel cough, and is extremely underweight. I was told by another vet to put her down. But there’s something about this one…I couldn’t do it.” The woman bent down and patted the dog on the head. The Rottweiler’s stumpy tail wagged ever so slightly.

“And she’ll need a home?” I inquired.

“Yes,” the woman sighed. “But I already know I’m going to have a hard time finding one for her.”

I looked at Hunter, mentally asking him for advice. He lowered his head ever so slightly and looked at the sad dog. I smiled and nodded. I fished my cell phone from my purse, set on asking Ethan if he wanted another animal.

I left the animal hospital an hour later, after filling out paper work with the animal hospital to claim ownership of the dog, who I decided to name Buffy, as my own. I paid for the dog’s estimated bill and smiled, feeling good about being able to help and excited to get another dog. Dr. Banfield, the veterinarian, informed me that the dog should at the clinic until she was mange free, which could take several weeks.

I called Ethan on the way home to let him know the details. He said that he had always wanted a Rottweiler when he was a child. Having Buffy as part of our family put another missing piece into his life.

~*~

The next day, I woke up with a headache.
 
Regardless, I got up, did my chores, and went grocery shopping. When I got home, the headache had worsened and I was feeling paranoid again.

“Do you have any more herbs to make a potion?” Ethan asked once we put the last of the groceries away.

I nodded. “Technically it’s incense, not a potion. I’ll make some”

“Good idea. Need help?”

“Nah, I can do it. Thanks though.”

Ethan went into the family room and fired up his Playstation. Hunter trotted into the kitchen and sat at my feet. I sank to my butt and wrapped my arms around him. Being close to him made me feel almost normal. I only had a pinch of vervain left. Nonetheless, I quickly mixed up the herbs, poured the contents in a jar, and took only what I needed with me upstairs.

Deciding a bath would be a good way to relax, I put the mixture in a small bowl, set it on fire and lit a few candles while the tub filled up. I pulled the curtain closed over the large, stained glass window that was above the tub. I added lavender oil to the water and brushed my hair while I waited, taking careful, deep breaths.

When the tub was nearly full, I got in, wincing at the hot water. I hit the button and the jets buzzed to life. I closed my eyes and leaned back. It didn’t take long before I was feeling a lot calmer. I breathed in the smoke.

I was worried about my brother. I hadn’t heard from him in a few days, though it was as much my fault as it was his. I pushed the thought out of my head.
Relax
, I ordered myself. I plunged my head under water to drown out the voices of nerves that wouldn’t shut up.

 
I stayed under water until my lungs begged for air. Using my feet, I pushed my torso up. But my head didn’t pop out of the surface of the water. It hit something solid. My eyes flew open and saw nothing but darkness. I thrashed around in the tub and madly reached out, panicking when I realized I was stuck underwater.

Chapter 9 - Closer to the Edge

I wanted to scream. Two things stopped me; knowing no one would hear me screaming while underwater and knowing that I would use up the rest of my oxygen.
This isn’t real
, I told myself. I shoved my hands up.
 
I will feel air
. I didn’t. I only felt the lid that trapped me in my underwater grave.

Relax
, a voice rippled through the darkness.
Let it end
.

I continued to struggle. I kicked at whatever was above me. My brain yelled at me to open my mouth. It was a reflex I wouldn’t be able to fight off much longer. Though I couldn’t see anything around me, I telekinetically pushed against the black lid. I sank deeper into the water. I was stuck and had no way out.

The drain! Using my feet, I felt around for the plug. My body shook, forcing my lungs to heave. I took in a mouthful of water. Everything burned. I coughed as the water rushed in, which only drowned me even more. Even if I pull the drain, the water would never empty in time.

Something echoed in the distance. My eyes closed and I stopped fighting.
Maybe this is a dream
, I feebly thought. Then something dove into the water. It grabbed a handful of my hair and yanked me up.
 
Air rushed it my nose but it made no difference; I couldn’t breathe.

Arms wrapped around me and pulled me out of the water. I remember my body flopping onto the soaked tile.

“Anora?” Ethan spoke, his voice trembling. He flipped me over and pushed on my chest. I coughed and choked. He rolled me once more and I coughed again, this time spewing water. He cradled me against him; his body shook. I couldn’t stop coughing. My eyes watered and I thought I was going to puke from the force of my hacking.

Once I was certain I could breathe again, fear hit me. I began to shake uncontrollably, making it impossible to maneuver my body. Hunter was next to me, with water dripping from his fur. He was the one who pulled me out.

“Anora,” Ethan repeated and hugged me. “Are you ok? I think you should go to the hospital.”

I shook my head and tried to look at Ethan. Still coughing, I wasn’t able to communicate with him. Ethan leaned back and straightened me up, which made it easier to cough. He stroked my hair. “It’s ok, Annie. You’re ok,” he soothed.

Able to gain some control over my body, I nodded. A cough turned into a sob and Ethan hugged me tighter. I extended a hand to Hunter. He ducked his head down so I could reach him. After another minute of panic-stricken struggling to breathe, I was able to take a voluntary breath.

“The floor is wet,” I said hoarsely.

Ethan chuckled. “Don’t worry about it.” Hunter brought a towel over; Ethan wrapped it around me and stood, carrying me to the bed. With me still in his arms, he sat. “Do your lungs hurt?”

I nodded.

“Do you know how long you were under?”

“No,” I croaked. It felt like forever. “A minute, maybe,” I guessed.

“Was it Thomas?”

“I didn’t see anyone. Or anything for that matter. It was like someone put a lid on the tub. I couldn’t sit up or get out.”

“Thank you, Hunter,” Ethan said and looked at my Guardian. “He must have felt your fear.”

“He’s a good boy,” I mumbled.

“That’s an understatement.”

“Mhh,” I agreed. “You’re wet,” I told Ethan as if he didn’t know his clothes were soaked.

“It’s ok.”

We sat there for a few minutes, with Ethan holding me. I closed my eyes; I felt utterly exhausted. I really hate nearly drowning due to demons.
 

“I’m alright,” I said and straightened up.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. This isn’t the first time you and Hunter had to pull me from the water,” I reminded him.

“At least you’re not hypothermic this time,” he added with a grin.

“I don’t think I ever told you just how weird it was to wake up nearly naked on top of you,” I said.

“It was awkward taking your clothes off,” he reminisced. “I was worried you were going to wake up while I was unzipping your jeans.”

I laughed, which turned into a cough. Ethan relaxed his arms. “You should get dressed,” he suggested. “Who knows what is next.” He stood and removed his wet T-shirt. “The incense didn’t make a difference?”

“I didn’t have much vervain,” I told him and got up. My legs were a little weak. I grabbed my bathrobe to put on and knelt down to towel off Hunter. My phone rang, making me jump. Since Ethan was closer, he tossed it to me.

“Hey,” I said to René.

“Hey girl,” she cheerfully replied. “What are you doing?”

“Uh, nothing really.”

“You’re ok?” she asked.

“Currently.”

She let out a breath. “Thank God. I had this nagging feeling something bad happened!”

“Well,” I said and strode to the dresser. I opened the drawer and pulled out a pair of athletic shorts.
 
“I almost drowned.” René didn’t say anything; I thought she had lost service. “René?”

“I’m here. I-I’m…you’re ok?”

“Yeah. Ethan and Hunter saved me. Are you busy?”

“I’m at Tyler’s, why? Is something bad happening?” she repeated.

“Oh, no,” I told her. “Some other stuff happened last night. Can you come over later? I’ll fill you in on the details”

“Of course! What time?”

“Whenever you’re done at Tyler’s. Call me when you’re on your way.”

“Will do. See ya soon, Anora.”

I gently threw my phone on the bed; it of course had to bounce off and smack onto the hardwood floor. Ethan picked it up for me.

“Are you sure it’s a good idea to trust René?” he asked.

“She’s already seen one reaper and found me blindly wandering around outside and still wants to be my friend. I think she can handle what I’m gonna tell her.” I cleared my throat and suppressed a cough. My lungs still burned.

“I’m sure she can,” he said and ran a hand through his hair. Having stripped out of his clothes, Ethan leaned against the bed wearing only a pair of black boxers. His muscles tensed and I knew what he was going to say wasn’t good. “I mean
trust
her with info about you.”

“I think so. I trust her, at least” Ethan nodded. I focused on the Order tattoo on his left arm. “She only told Keith the bare minimum. If they are going to be my friends, it’s easier to tell them the truth.”

“It is,” he agreed. “I know all about keeping secrets; it sucks.” He bent over his pile of clean clothes and froze. “Annie,” he started.